7 Best Fitzgerald Pick-Up Lines

The vernacular may have changed since F. Scott Fitzgerald graced this earth, but the way his characters picked up ladies is impressive no matter what year you live in. Now some may say the lines are sexist or infantilizing or what have you, but we’ve got to trust this guy a little don’t we? After all, he picked up Zelda, the wild woman of the South, and somehow his almost uniformly narcissistic characters ended up doing pretty well when it came to impressing the fairer sex. After all, Amory Blaine, the principle character of This Side of Paradise and a near perfect replica of Fitzgerald himself, was about as self-obsessed as they come, yet Rosalind and Eleanor, even Isabelle, couldn’t help falling for his charming lines. Have a look at how Fitzgerald’s characters had a way with women:

Keep It Mysterious

I’ve got an adjective that just fits you.’ This was one of his favorite starts—he seldom had a word in mind, but it was a curiosity provoker, and he could always produce something complimentary if he got in a tight corner.

‘Oh—what?’ Isabelle’s face was a study in enraptured curiosity. Amory shook his head.

‘I don’t know you very well yet.’

‘Will you tell me—afterward?’ she half whispered.

He nodded.

— Amory to Isabelle in This Side of Paradise

He’ll have her attention all night long.

She’s a Flower

You’re the only girl I’ve seen for a long time that actually did look like something blooming.

— Dick to Rosemary in Tender is the Night

Infantilize her + Make a flower reference = Game over.

Tell Her She’s Best at Night

I don’t like girls in the daytime,’ he said shortly, and then thinking this a bit abrupt, he added: ‘But I like you.’ He cleared his throat. ‘I like you first and second and third.

— Amory to Myra in This Side of Paradise

Be direct about what you want. You’re not going to get friend-zoned if you play your cards like Amory.

Priorities

While it seemed to him that every debutante spent every hour of her day thinking and talking about what the great world had mapped out for her to do during the next hour, any girl who made a living directly on her prettiness interested him enormously.

Anthony just gets it.

Confuse Her

I’m afraid I’m in love with you,’ said Dick, ‘and that’s not the best thing that could happen.

— Dick to Rosemary in Tender is the Night

Get her all hot and bothered then tell her it can’t be. She’ll be coming back for more in no time.

Lay It On Thick

How I feel is that if I wanted anything I’d take it. That’s what I’ve always thought all my life. But it happens that I want you, and so I just haven’t room for any other desires.

— Anthony to Gloria in The Beautiful and Damned

Wow. Textbook.

Or Keep Things Simple

Daisy, that’s all over now, it doesn’t matter anymore, just tell him the truth-that you never loved him – and its all wiped out forever.

Oh, you want too much!’ she cried to Gatsby. ‘I love you now – isn’t that enough? I can’t help what’s past.’ She began to sob helplessly. ‘I did love him once – but I loved you too.